Trump: Iran strikes called off over concern for civilians' safety

By

Nicholas Sakelaris & Danielle Haynes

The head of the Revolutionary Guard's aerospace division Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh looks at the wreckage of U.S. drone RQ-4A, which is displayed by Iran's Revolutionary guard in Tehran, Iran on Friday. Photo by ISNA Borna Qasemi/UPI | License Photo

The wreckage of U.S. drone RQ-4A is displayed by Iran's Revolutionary guard in Tehran, Iran on Friday. Photo by ISNA Borna Qasemi/UPI | License Photo

President Donald Trump said Friday U.S. forces were "cocked and loaded" to strike three targets in Iran. Photo by Martin Simon/UPI | License Photo

A photo from the Iranian Defense Ministry shows new surface-to-air missile batteries in Okhordad, Iran. Photo by EPA-EFE

June 21 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Friday he'd ordered attacks against three targets in Iran late Thursday, but called them off in the final minutes over concerns that 150 civilians would be killed.

"We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different [sites] when I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General," Trump tweeted Friday morning. "10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our Military is rebuilt, new and ready to go, by far the best in the world."

During an interview with NBC's Meet the Press later Friday, Trump said he had given no final order for the airstrikes. Asked if planes were in the air and prepared to carry out the strikes, he said, "no."

The planned strikes could have targeted Iranian surface-to-air missiles like the one used to target the drone.

Iran and the United States gave conflicting stories on what happened to the downed Navy RQ-4 drone. Tehran said it entered Iranian airspace while U.S. Central Command said it flew in international waters.

Trump gave no indication of a military strike during a speech Thursday, saying the unmanned aircraft could have been shot down without the leadership knowing.

"I find it hard to believe it was intentional," Trump said. "Let's see what happens. This is a new fly in the ointment -- what happened, shooting down the drone -- and this country will not stand for it."

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, met with administration officials over the incident.

"The president may not intend to go to war here, but we're worried that he and the administration may bumble into a war," Schumer said.

Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC, said shooting down the drone sent a clear, decisive, firm and accurate message.

"The message is that the guardians of the borders of Islamic Iran will decisively respond to the violation of any stranger to this land," he said. "The only solution for the enemies is to respect the territorial integrity and national interests of Iran."